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Cricket News: India-Pakistan rivalry “unmatched” – Matthew Hayden | Matthew Hayden says there is nothing like the India-Pakistan rivalry

For Australian opener Matthew Hayden, now the Pakistan batting coach for the T20 World Cup, has dealt with his fair share of fierce rivalries over the years. When he was appointed as the batting coach, he knew what he was walking into especially given that his first assignment will be against Pakistan’s arch rivals and current tournament favourites, India.

Hayden sees Pakistan’s mainstay Babar Azam as the premier batsman that every team will target. Also, Hayden believes his captaincy also has the command and the presence required to be a good leader.

“Babar obviously has his own role to play not only in terms of leadership but as a premier batter,” Hayden said. “Because as you’ve seen through the IPL, the two dominant captains here in the UAE, MS Dhoni, a World Cup winner and [Eoin] Morgan, a World Cup winner…even though their individual performances weren’t as good as what they have previously done within their own statistical record. But the way that they led their troops and conduct themselves is an important part of the UAE because as I mentioned, it’s not one side, it’s not necessarily going to run away with it here. It’s a real dogfight.

“The conditions and the margins for errors are very little and so good leadership is going to be key. I think Babar has that and commands that presence and that role and he needs to fulfil that role and in a batting sense as well. He, I think, is the premium player and he will be targeted. He will also be the person that everyone is wanting to put in his pocket. There’s going to be additional pressure on him, both as a captain and also as a batsman. I sense that the way that he goes about it is going to be spot on.”

India-Pakistan rivalry “nothing else I’ve ever seen” – Hayden

Pakistan’s first game is against India, which will be a challenge. India has always had the upper hand holding a 100% record of wins against Pakistan in World Cups.

Given Matthew Hayden has his experiences playing against England in the Ashes as arch rivals, Hayden said, “For Australia, it’s England as the old guard, as they would say,” he said. “I mean, you could argue that England versus anyone considering that at various stages we’ve been ruled by the kingdom of the UK and cricket wouldn’t be on our shores if it hadn’t been for that. But nothing else that I’ve ever seen throughout various elements of the game that I’ve been a part of ever matches the rivalry between India and Pakistan.”

“There is an obvious pressure, as there is an obvious pressure against England if you’re an Australian. The pressure, though, is only as much as what you allow it to be. All that can be done is done. Your preparation is there. Your experience is there. Your opportunity now becomes a very history-making opportunity. I sense that our players are ready for that opportunity, and I sense that there is a calmness around our group that wants us to be a successful competitor on the day. So all that is done is done and now it’s the opportunity of playing the game.”

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant the key threats – Hayden

Hayden, who is also a commentator in the IPL and has been involved with broadcasting for a while now, has limited experience as a coach. But he said that having watched the IPL so closely, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be the two most dangerous batters that Pakistan will need to watch out for.

“I’ve been watching Indian cricket closely for some time,” Hayden said. “As I’ve just mentioned, I more or less watch KL Rahul, for example, who’s a major threat to Pakistan. Seeing his struggles with Test matches versus his dominance in the shorter formats of the game. Seeing someone like Rishabh Pant with his cheeky smile and his brash nature and his beautiful vision for the game. Watching how he destroyed bowling attacks because he’s got that opportunity and sees it that way. Individually, I think it’s always fantastic to see how players perform in a pressure match.

The two warm up games that Pakistan played against SA and WI provided some context to Hayden as to where the players stand. Pakistan lost the SA game by 6 wickets after scoring 186 and defeated West Indies by 7 wickets in a game where the skipper Babar Azam scored a 50 and Zaman chipped in with 46 at that crucial Number 3 spot. 

“This (Pakistan) camp has got some wonderful assets that will perform on the day that are ready to perform. If you look at the way that even Fakhar [Zaman] is going about his preparations for this, not to single him out, but look at the way that he has extended himself in the two warm-up matches, it’s exciting to think what can happen, in a few days’ time versus India. Babar at No. 2 and Rizwan in the top three…you know, such a critical part of performances here in the UAE.”

Written by Nash Sant. Follow Nash on Twitter today